Ivan demands action against Kateel’s tweet

MLC Ivan D’Souza has urged the Election Commission to file a suo motu case against Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for his tweet seeking votes in the name of soldiers.

D’Souza, who is parliamentary secretary to chief minister, told reporters on Wednesday that Kateel (twitter handle @nalinkateel) had tweeted at 10.16 am on March 11, “One need to vote for a man who had ordered the attack on an enemy country at 3 am and not for those who knocked the door of the Supreme Court for a terrorist at 3 am. # Modi again.”

‘Violation of code’

D’Souza reminded that the model code of conduct had already been imposed on March 10. “Kateel’s tweet amounts to violation of the model code of conduct. The Election Commission should consider it seriously and initiate action,” he urged.

The bravery of the Indian soldiers has been misused by Kateel for a cheap objective of seeking votes, the MLC alleged.

D’Souza also said, “The protection of the country does not belong to the BJP alone. The armed forces of the country also do not belong to the BJP. The entire country’s population is proud of the achievement of our soldiers. It is condemnable that the BJP has stooped to such a low level as to seek votes.”

‘Don’t inconvenience’

The MLC urged officials not to take undue advantage of the model code of conduct and cause inconvenience to the public at large.

“Some officials are directing the public to seek permission from the police for organising religious functions and marriages. The officials reportedly are advising people not to invite politicians for marriage and religious functions,” D’Souza charged.

“Election is not an emergency,” D’Souza reminded and added that an election should be observed as a festival, as a part and parcel in a democratic setup. “I have already written to the Election Commission to direct the officials on not to harass the general public under the pretext of implementing the model code of conduct,” he stated.

The legislator urged the district administration to set up a single window system to issue permission for marriages, religious programmes and other social events in the district.

‘No fight for ticket’

D’Souza said there was no fight for ticket from Dakshina Kannada constituency in the Congress. “The fight is only between the Congress and the BJP. We want to expose the BJP during the election. The Congress is all set for its fight against the BJP. The party has been strengthened at the grass roots level,” he explained.

He added that all the leaders were united to teach a befitting lesson to the BJP.

The Congress list is likely to be finalised on March 16, the MLC stated.

“I am also an aspirant for ticket, but I will back the candidate chosen by the party High Command,” he declared.